“Perhaps. That seems less likely when you see this.”Athena held a paper up to her laptop camera.
A printed death record. The name was listed as “Stuart Marsh”. Hanna squinted at the line marked “cause of death”.
Sickened and died.
“You’re right. That’s fishy as all get out,” Hanna said. “There was no indication that Stuart was in poor health?”
“None. Since he remains there as a ghost, I suspect foul play.”Athena set the paper down again.“The doctor for all the birth records, the death records for the Widow Pritchard’s children, and the death record for Stuart Marsh is the same. Doctor James Turner, once of Norwich. His whereabouts were dubious for a while after the Norwich Blitz, but his family seems to have returned there once the city rebuilt. I found a Doctor Gillian Turner with a practice in Norwich. If the records are correct, she is James Turner’s granddaughter.”
“I wonder if she still has any records, or if her grandfather ever mentioned anything.”
“I believe there’s only one way to find out.”
“Take a trip to Norwich. I’ll call ahead and see if she can give me some time.” Hanna smiled. “Thanks, Athena. You’re really the best.”
“I have my moments,”Athena said, but Hanna could see the little blush.“I hope that helped.”
“It did. You’ve given me a place to start looking for more about why Stuart hasn’t passed on.” A yawn escaped before Hanna could stop it.
“It looks like you’ve already had a full day. Perhaps tackle that tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” Hanna agreed. “I was just coming up for a good soak when I saw your message. That party is on Saturday, so I’ve been helping Martin and Gregory with preparations.”
“Gregory more than Martin, I suspect.”
“You’re terrible, Athena. This is good experience.”
“I’m quite certain working more closely with Gregory would be a very good experience.”
“Athena!” Hanna felt her face heat. “Since ‘professional haunting investigator’ isn’t a paying gig, experience with party planning and problem solving is a good way to build my resume so I can get out of the nanny game."
“It is. I am required to give you shit, however.”Athena quirked a smile.“Go have your bath, Hanna. Let me know what you find out from Doctor Turner.”
“I will. Have a good night!”
“You as well.”
Hanna killed the connection.Funny how you find out who your real friends are when trouble sneaks up on you. I’m not sure I would have seen Athena as such a good friend before, but now?Now Hanna looked forward to their chats. Athena had her quirks, but the more time Hanna spent with Athena, the more her quirks became lovable pieces of her character.
Still pondering how friendships evolve as people age and circumstances change, Hanna ambled into the bathroom to start the water in the tub.Too bad bath bombs aren’t good for this old plumbing. Or bubble bath. Oh, the inconveniences and horrors of having a massive clawfoot tub to soak in.Once the water ran warm enough for her taste, she shoved the stopper, which hung tethered from a chain keeper on the overflow, into the drain.Nothing makes you feel like a princess like filling up a clawfoot tub. Unless you have someone doing it for you.
That was a pleasant thought. Gregory wearing very little, sitting on the edge of the tub and letting the water run over one hand. He would beckon her over once the water reached the proper temperature, then slowly remove her clothes, eyes and fingers lingering long enough to show her how he enjoyed her nearness, and what nearness he might enjoy even more…
Easy there, imagination. Otherwise I’m going to have to take a cold shower instead of a hot bath.She set her clothes aside with a far more utilitarian attitude. Then she slid into the tub, even though it had only filled partway, so she could delight in the warm water splashing over her feet.This porcelain is more slippery than I expected. They must scrub it every day. I’d wonder if I could get a few of the traction stickers on the bottom, but I think a bunch of plastic turtle stickers would entirely ruin the “classy bathroom fixture” aesthetic.
The faucet had thick enough handles for her to turn the water off with her feet. Relaxation followed the cessation of the water as she leaned back, eyes closed, surrounded in steaming hot water.I feel like I’ve needed this for the last month. Has it really only been about a week since the Dawsons fired me? If someone told me that happened last year, I would believe them. Everything has changed for the better since then. I feel like I have a future now. Like there’s hope.
Hope for clean hair, at least. She’d accidentally walked under a chandelier the cleaners were dusting and ended up with a crown of lint. Water rose around her neck and face, lapping at her cheeks and nose as she allowed herself to slide down the smooth porcelain.
She closed her eyes and slipped beneath the surface. A scent of patchouli, carnation, and vanilla followed her down.
What was that? I don’t remember smelling that perfume. Did one of the maids come in?Hanna pushed off against the bottom of the tub to sit up and check for uninvited guests.
Hard pressure on her shoulders and chest stopped her. She couldn’t get out of the water.
A stab of panic lanced her heart. She tried again, pushing harder, wondering if she’d just failed to gain proper traction against the slick tub surface. Again, the pressure stopped her, pinned her hard enough against the porcelain that the points of her vertebrae ached against the hard bottom of the bathtub.
Adrenaline flooded her body. She flailed her hand out of the water to grab the side of the tub and pull.